Think racism is a thing of the past in America? After electing a Black president not once but twice, you might assume we all gathered around for a group sing-along of “Kumbaya,” ready to judge each other solely on character rather than skin color. Well, think again.
Meet Taylor Reed
Meet Taylor Reed from Midland, Michigan. She’s not just a standout kicker for the Dow High School football team, which is currently ranked second in the league with an impressive 8-1 record. This year marks her debut in football, where she’s taken on the role of placekicker. And guess what? She’s nailed 29 out of 31 extra points in Saginaw League games—more than anyone else in the league!
Taylor is breaking barriers as the first girl to play varsity football in Midland, whether for Dow or rival Midland High. With two brothers who played for the Chargers, Taylor has always had a fearless spirit and a desire to try new things. Her coach praises her as “the best kicker in the program,” noting she’s one of the finest talents they’ve seen in a long time.
Facing Racism
But Taylor’s achievements haven’t shielded her from the ugly face of racism. Recently, during a Midland-Dow football game, an Instagram user named katiebelle posted a photo of herself with a boy in a gorilla suit, captioning it, “got a pic with Dow’s kicker ;)” The boy donned Midland colors over his costume, leaving it unclear if the intent was to mock Taylor or if he merely thought it was funny. The screenshot of the post caught the attention of activist Shaun King, who shared it widely before it was eventually deleted. So far, no disciplinary action has been taken.
Taylor is a brilliant student and athlete, yet she is forced to contend with hate that seeks to drag her down using the outdated stereotype linking Black individuals with gorillas—an absurd and hateful notion. When she joined the football team, she was embraced as a teammate, not just “the girl kicker.” “I’ve built friendships with the guys, many of whom I’ve known since childhood,” she shared. “The community has been really supportive.”
It’s often easier for a girl to gain acceptance on an all-male football team than for a successful Black girl to navigate the toxic waters of racism. Unfortunately, racism is alive and well in America, lurking in both small towns and major cities. If you doubt that, just take a look at Taylor Reed.
Further Reading
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In summary, Taylor Reed is a shining example of determination and talent, bravely facing adversity and discrimination in her pursuit of excellence in sports. Her story is a reminder that while progress has been made, the struggle against racism continues.